“Media is an invaluable tool to educate public on climate change and disaster management”- Peacemaker MBUNGIRAMIHIGO

Kigali, 13 September 2018, Peacemaker MBUNGIRAMIHIGO, the Executive Secretary of the Media High Councilurges journalists that media plays a very important role in disseminatingfactual information to the public before, during and after the disasters by educating the public aboutthe disaster , alerting government officialsand policy makers for quick measures .

He said this when he addressed to the participants in media training on Climate Change and Disaster Management held from 13thto 20th September 2018. The aforementioned training has been organized by the Media High Council in partnership with the UNDP.

The training aims at enablingmedia practitionersto understand climate change issues and disaster management; improving the linkages between the media, public, local leaders and disaster mitigation researchers and practitioners to prepare the public to act promptly on warning related to disasters prevention.

While addressing to trainees, Jean Baptiste Nsengiyumva, Director of Research and Public Awareness in MIDIMAR, explained them the definition of key concepts which are: Hazard, Disaster, Disaster risk, Exposure & Vulnerability, Coping capacity, and Resilience.

He equipped them with skills which will enable them to unpack the root causes of vulnerability; understand the nature of disaster risk, understand the importance of disaster risk reduction as a cross-cutting element of the entire disaster spectrum. He also emphasized on the role of media in disaster management.

Media Practitioners commended the Media High Council for the skills they acquired from the training on climate change and disaster management.

“This training helps me to acquire skills which will enable me to write professional stories related to climate change and disaster management issues both educative and advocative”. Said Didas Ukuriyinkindi from Ijabo.net

According to Alexia Bizumuremyi from Rwandainspirer.com, this training helped her to be aware of types of disasters and the role of media to educate citizen on techniques for disaster prevention.

“Before attending the training , I did not know that in Rwanda disasters are killing people , I ignored articles related to disaster management ;but from now, I take decision of being proactive in reporting stories related to climate change and disaster management.” She said

She added that the aforementioned training enabled her to enhance her professionalism.

“This training helped me to know how to conduct interview with citizens and local leaders and how to write a good headline “She added.

A number of 24 journalists have been deployed into different Districts namely Muhanga, Kamonyi, Bugesera, Nyagatare,Musanze , Gakenke, Rutsiro and Karongi. The news stories produced during the practical training have been published in their respective media outlets.